Grave vase



June 17, 1930. L J. F|T| 1,765,140

GRAVE VASE Filed Aug. 30, 1929 nventor attorney Patented June 17, 1930 JAMES J. FITL, F SWANTN, NEBRASKA Y GRAVE VASE Application led August 30, 1929. Serial No. 389,402.

This invention relates to cut flower holders and has relation more particularly to a device of this kind especially adapted and designed for use in connection with the decora- 5 tion of graves, lawns and cemeteries in general. v

It is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind which will not tip over or become blown over when placed in a posiio tion exposed to the wind.

A further object of the invention is to provide a reversible device which may not only be attached to the soil or s-od upon a convex grave mound but may also be placed in an '1 5 operative position upon a flat indurate object such as a tombstone.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a construction which can be economically manufactured and sold at areasonable retail price Within the means of the general purchasing public; i

Another' object of the invention is to provide a device which is of practically no utility for other purposes than as is herein mentioned.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be understood from the following detailed description and it is thought to be obvious that a grave vase constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification as to its minor details and arrangement of parts without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish it to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed. y

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein: j

Figure 1 is a erspective view of the device, the detachable base thereofbeing in a reversed position as appliedto a hard indul rate object such as a tombstone`7 the latter being decorated by a memorial wreath supported by the device. y i Y Figure 2 is a View partly in section and partly in elevati-on illustrating the device as applied to a convex grave mound, and

Figure 3 is anv enlarged detail showing a fragment of the base member and a modification ofthe vase supporting means.

Referring nowto the drawings for a more particular description the numeral l0 indicates a vase adapted to hold flowers. The vase is preferably formed of sheet metal and is of conical-shapepreferably in order that the vessel will not be practical for any purpose other than the herein described utility. The apex of the cone is provided with a shaft or pintle end 11 which is preferably formed of .galvanized iron-in order that soldering may be facilitated and it will be understood that the member 11 is secured to the vase 10 by any suitable means such as the soldering shown at 12` which also provides apwatertight joint at said apex.` A threaded galvanized bolt may beused in lieu of the shaft 11. The vase 10 may be formed ofcast iron'if desired and the shaft 11 cast integral therewith and in case threads are desired uponrthe shaft 11 the same may comprise Va threaded bolt the head of which is placed'within the Y mass at the apex of the c-one duringthe casting ofthe latter. f p

Thebase 13 is preferably formed of concretey but may be made of cast iron.V If formed ofconcrete the reinforcing wires 14 are preferably employed, the latter being secured from chicken orfence wire of small imesh cut to a suitable size andconliguration.

The base 13 is preferably circular in Vshape and may be of a suitable thickness in order to provide a comparatively great weight for purposes later described. jA bushing v15 A is preferably placed in the center ofthe disc 13 when concrete isv employed and the bushing 15 is preferably formed of iron and if desired the sleeve or bushing 15 mayl beprovided with interior screw threadsas shown in Figure 3 andin suchfcase the member 11 is similarly provided with sc rewthrjeads for purpeses later deserbed.v y'When the disc is formed of cast iron the bushing may beY dispensed with.

A plurality of spikes such as 16S-penny nails and indicated at 16 are formed integral with the base during the casting thereof and in a manner whereby their sharpened pointed en'ds are exposed as shown'in Figure 2. The entire device is dipped in green paint prior to distribution for use. w

In the operation of the device, in caseit is desired to decorate a grave mound which is usually of convex contour such as indicated at 17 in Figure 2, the 'disc 13 is first attached tothe soil or sod by means of pushing the spikes 16 downwardly therein and at this time the operator may stand or jump upon the disc for forcing the spikes into the soil or loose uneven soft sod and thus provide a rigid support for the vase. The vase 10 is nowV filled with cut flowers such as indicated at 18` in Figure land the pintle end of the vase or its shaft 11 is inserted or screwedV into the base 13.

At times when it is desired to place the ornament and flowers upon an indurate-flat surface such as the tombstone 19 shown in Figure 1, the base 13 is placed upon the surface thereof with its spikes 16 in an upward position and the vase is attached to the base member as heretofore described and since the base 13 is of comparatively great weight the device will remain in an upright position at all times and during windy weather. At this time the upright spikes 16 function as a' support from which a wreath 21 shown in Figure 1 may be suspended; for a memorial decoration of the tombstone.

I As indicated by the numeral 2O each vase 10 may be provided with individual serial numbers if'desired and the base member 13 may be similarly provided with corresponding numbers for the purpose of easily identiyfy-ing the owner thereof should the vase become mislaid by the cemetery employees during Vwinter storage of a large number of devices,- a book containing the owners name and said numbers being kept for such purpose.

It is obvious that thebase member is of small practical utilityfor any purpose except as herein described. Similarly, the vase being conical in shape willnot function as a vessel for holding water without the base in that it will not support itself in an upright position and, therefore, is of practically no utility Vother than as a grave vase and for thisr reason the removal thereof by unauthorized persons is highly, minimized.

I claim j V1. A grave evase comprisinga weighted disc, pinsprojecting from the disc, afthreade'd bushing extending n through theV disc and spaced inwardly of the pins, Va cup, anda 'threaded' pintle carried by the cup Vfor engaging in the bushing.

2. A grave vase comprising a'atweighted base, a bushing extending therethrough, a cup, a pintle on the cup for fitting in the bushing, and pins on the base spaced away from the bushing and pintle.

3. A grave vase comprising a weighted base, a bushing in the base opening through both sides of the vase, a cup, anda pintle carriedby the cup for removably fitting the bushing.

4. A grave vase comprising a fiat weighted reversible base having an opening therein accessible from both faces of the base, a cup having means to removably fit the opening from either face of the base, and pins on the base spaced about the opening and away from the cup. Y

In testimony whereof, I have affixedmy signature.

JAMES J. FITL. e

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